Hoping for Honduras

I have been thinking about a passage from Luke this past week. It was one of the Most Holy Reverend's sermons that brought it to mind.

If any of you know my pastor, you know that he is not what his nickname implies. He is humble, kind, firm, funny & a real shepherding pastor.

I gave him this nickname after a discussion over putting "Reverend" before his name in the church bulletin. I was for it. He was against it.

Since then I refer to him as M.H.R. (Most Holy Reverend). I even went so far as to try to get him nominated as the Presbyterian Pope of the West Coast.

Let's just say he was not amused.

I digress. The point was this passage in Luke.

It was shortly after Jesus' transfiguration. The disciples were wondering why they couldn't drive out an evil spirit from a boy, wondering about what Jesus meant when He told them He would be betrayed, and wondering who would be considered the greatest among them.

Luke 9:51 says "As the time approaced for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."
Another version says "...He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem."

I can't stop thinking about how Jesus did that.

I picture Him surrounded by needy, hungry people, curious gawkers, bickering disciples, turning determinedly towards Jerusalem. Moving steadily forward towards His own sacrificial death. He was not overwhelmed by the needs of those around Him. He was keenly aware of all they needed, and with that in mind, set out with a firm jaw & purpose in His eye to provide for their truly greatest need.

It just breaks my heart & makes me rejoice all at the same time. I am undone by what He has done.

This is where my thoughts are as I prepare for my trip to Honduras this July. It has given me a fresh perspective on setting out with determination. I think of the weather, the people, the tasks there for us to experience. Wondering if my wonderings are like the disciples' own wonderings. Small, self-focused, missing the point.

I am eager & yet a little trepidaceous.
Anxious to obey.
Excited to step off American soil & into a new culture.
Eager to use my limited Spanish & make new friends.
Keenly aware of the great gap of my gifting.
Expectant to see God working in spite of the great gap.
Hopeful of getting to share the gospel in a personal way.
Resignedly cognizant things may be difficult.
Hoping things will be difficult so that my dependence on Jesus will grow.
Wondering already at how He has worked things together so that our team of 10 can go to Honduras.
Purposing to set out with my & the Honduran people's greatest need in mind.

Will you pray for me if you think of it?

In honor of it being June 21st, the first day of summer, I leave you with this...




I hope this summer finds you enjoying some hot days of doing nothing.

Packer & Fred

Today is my last day dog-sitting the boisterous yellow lab Packer. He is a very sweet dog & way easier to care for than I expected. This has been a blessing since I caught a cold this week & have been trying to fight it off with sleep.

The fish, Fred, on the other hand, scares me.
He is blue with red framing his tails, and he doesn't seem to move much.
(Ever since I lost a fish whilst house-sitting they make me nervous).
Plus, his young owner, explained very carefully how to care for him properly in this solemn way. I listened carefully & then completely forgot about said fish for a day & a half. When I remembered yesterday & ran into his room to check on him & feed him, he seemed the same - stable, and hopefully not just barely hanging on.

I am heading out to play catch with Packer, & to play "stare" with Fred (aka "check if Fred is still with us").
I leave you with one of my favorite Get Fuzzy cartoons because it makes me laugh, & I need a laugh.

a good book

I love reading, especially when I get to read something good.

I recently started asking my patients for recommendations since a lot of them bring books to read during their surgeries.

Before taking any suggestions seriously I usually prod a little on what type of books the recommender likes.

Not everyone passes the prodding test. If I find that the reccomender & I have enjoyed some of the same books I am more willing to try something they might suggest.

Here's one that passed...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows.

I loved it. (Just ask Roomie - who suffered graciously through me ignoring her for 2 evenings).

Here are some possible reasons why:
It is based on a true place & revolves around real events, (England, 1946, just after the war).
The story is told through written letters to & from the main character.
The characters are interesting, diverse, & delightful.
It has adventure, heartache, laughter, & food with just a hint of romance.

Jump in & see if you like it too!

Being a niecester

I don't know exactly how to spell this made up word., but I should.

It means so much to me.

Today is my mostly aunts birthday.

It is she & her man who made up the word and told it to me quietly in a goodbye hug one day.

"You're our Niece-ster", they said.
A niece who lived at their house like a daughter, and has been treated as such.


Aunt Alyce, me & Aunt Joyce

It seems to be a tradition in my family.
My own Mumsy was a niece-ster in this beloved aunts family at the age of 15.
My sister was a niece-ster of sorts to another dear adopted family (see Aunt Alyce above) during her college years.
& now I am one too.

There is this theme in my story, my life, of people who have faithfully stood in the gaps. Loving, teaching, & inviting me into relationship, before I even knew how much I needed it.

My U.B. & A.J. have been gap-standers for me.

But not the kind of gap-standers that have it all together & are going to show you how it's done. The kind of gap standers who have been open about their own struggles & keep pointing me to the only adequate gap stander, Jesus.

And on this their almost OLD birthdays I celebrate all that they mean to me!

one of many gatherings at the Hawk home.

the small group that U.B. & A.J. facilitate

I call my Uncle Bill U.B., but he is a lot more. Captain, fisherman, handyman, dog whisperer (tee-hee), facebooker, teacher, southerner, instigator, adviser, farmer, risk taker, jokester, simplifier, leader, prayer warrior, & friend. Happy belated Birthday U.B.!

I called my A.J. my "mostly" aunt because she is mostly my aunt, but also a zillion things more.
Friend, confidant, prankster, chef, hostess, playmate, connoseur of all things little & tasty, teacher, organizer, musician, photographer, fellow pilgrim, gardener, counselor, actress, & explorer. Happy Birthday Aunt Joyce!